Registry of mine incidents : From September 1995 until 3 March 1996

25-09-1996

Sadly, the following incidents represent only a fraction of the estimated 2'000 casualties which occur every month, the vast majority of which go unreported.

The ICRC would welcome any additional reports of mine incidents for use in updated versions of this registry.

DATE OF THE INCIDENT

PLACE, DATE AND SOURCE

DESCRIPTION

NUMBER OF VICTIMS

SEPTEMBER 1995

Cambodia, Battang Province,

09.95

Mines Advisory Group

In September, five people were killed and 25 injured by mines in Battang Province. Some 59 % of the victims were civillians and 41% soldiers. Seven of the victims were children. One child was injured while travelling on a path to a ricefield; the path was used daily and was newly mined when the accident occurred. Two other children were herding

5 KILLED

25 INJURED

Cambodia, Kompong Thom,

09.95

Mines Advisory Group

In September, two people were killed and 11 injured in Kompong Thom Province. All but two of the victims were soldiers. No female casu alties were to be reported. Most of the soldiers injured by mines were on patrol at the time of the accident.

2 KILLED

11 INJURED

Cambodia, Banteay Meanchey Province,

09.95

Mines Advisory Group

In September, six people were killed and 19 injured in Banteay Meanchey Province. 65% were soldiers, 35% civilians. Three people from the same family (one two-year-old child, one woman civilian, and one soldier) were injured by a mine while collecting food in the forest.

6 KILLED

19 INJURED

Angola,

02.09.95

ICRC

A tank blew up on an anti-tank mine, in Eastern Moxico province, killing 20 of its 21 occupants. The driver, the only survivor, lost one leg.

20 KILLED

1 INJURED

Uganda,

07.09.95

UN

A land mine blast killed 10 people and wounded 17 others who were travelling in a four-wheel drive vehicle from Gulu to Kitgum, nearly 60 km from the border with Sudan. The blast occurred at Atanga, 55 km northeast of Gulu. Four women were among the dead. The blast was blamed on the Rebel Lord's Resistance Army, which wants to govern Uganda according to the 10 Commandments.

10 KILLED

17 INJURED

Angola,

09.95

Halo Trust

Five injured (four resulting in amputations, and one child incurring eye injuries) as a result of mine blasts.

5 INJURED

Angola,

11.09.95

Mines Advisory Group

A 46-year-old man from the Luena area stepped on a mine while collecting honey. He was taken to hospital by truck where his left leg was amputated.

1 INJURED

Iran,

11.09.95

UN

Eight villagers were killed and several others wounded when they stepped on mines laid by government forces in Iranian Kurdistan, reported the opposition Mujahideen Khalq Party.

8 KILLED

Sri Lanka,

11.09.95

UN

Seven government soldiers were killed and five wounded by a land mine planted by Tamil separatists in the eastern Welioya area.

7 KILLED

5 INJURED

Angola,

12.09.95

Mines Advisory Group

While out hunting near the Luena airport, a 58-year-old man, stepped o n a mine. He was carried to the hospital on a stretcher where he was amputated of a leg. Later the same day he died.

1 KILLED

Iraq,

12.09.95

UN

An Iraqi female was air evacuated to a UN medical unit due to a mine accident outside of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).

1 INJURED

Greece,

13.09.95

REUTER

Four Pakistani illegal immigrants were killed and two others wounded when they wandered into a minefield on the Greek-Turkish border. Minefields stretch along much of the border between Greece and Turkey.

4 KILLED

2 INJURED

Iraq,

24.09.95

UN

Two Iraqi policemen were injured in a mine blast and evacuated from Sierra Sector to an Umm Qasr hospital.

2 INJURED

Angola

25.09.95

HALO Trust

A twelve year old girl was seriously injured (double amputation and loss of three fingers) as a result of an anti-personnel mine while playing behind her home.

1 INJURED

Austria, Vienna,

26.09.95

Statement by UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros Ghali

" During the course of this very Conference, 1,600 human beings will be killed or wounded. Therefore, I wish to state again that we must eliminate landmines once and for all "

Rwanda,

27.09.95

ICRC

ICRC nurse injured by mine blast in Rwanda

An ICRC nurse was injured yesterday in south-western Rwanda when the car she was travelling in ran over a mine.

1 INJURED

Angola,

29.09.96

Mines Advisory Group

A 21-year-old man was travelling from Camanongue to Luena when he struck the trip-wire of a mine. He was transported to the hospital were his fragmentation wounds were treated.

1 WOUNDED

OCTOBER 1995

Angola,

10.95

ICRC

A 73-year-old man lost one leg but survived a mine blast that killed four other civilians (including two women) when one of them accidentally touched a wire which was connected to several explosive ordnances, in the municipality of Chitato (Lunda Norte province). The five were heading to their farms.

4 KILLED

1 INJURED

Cambodia, Banteay Meanchey Province,

10.95

Mines Advisory Group

Four people were killed and 19 injured by mines during the month of October in Banteay Meanchey Province. Some 70% of the mine victims were soldiers and 30% civilians. Many of the victims were travelling through unknown mined areas.

4 KILLED

19 INJURED

Cambodia, Kompong Thom Province,

10.95

Mines Advisory Group

Four people were killed and 11 injured by mines during the month of October in Kompong Thom Province. Some 54% were soldiers, 46% civilians. One female child was injured by a mine while herding cows, another while cutting wood.

4 KILLED

11 INJURED

Cambodia, Battambang Province,

10.95

Mines Advisory Group

Five people were killed and 24 injured by mines during the month of October in Battambang Province. The majority of victims were soldiers. One boy was injured by a mine while herding cows in the forest, he died as a result of his injuries. Two young soldiers were injured by landmines while on patrol.

5 KILLED

24 INJURED

Rwanda , Kigali,

02.10.95

AFP

Four children killed and nine other people injured in mine blast in Gikondo

The explosion occurred in a section of the Rwandan capital when a group of children were playing.

4 KILLED

9 INJURED

Angola,

03.10.95

Mines Advisory Group

When out collecting food, a 26-year-old man from Luena trod on a mine. He died in a car on his way to hospital.

1 KILLED

Rwanda , Kigali,

03.10.95

AFP

Rwandan authorities renewed their appeal for extreme caution after four children were killed by a mine blast on Monday in Kigali and a dozen other people were killed in two separate attacks since Thursday. According to Rwanda national radio, the four children were killed while playing with the mines in the neighbourhood of Bikongo. Nine other people, including children and passers-by, were injured, some of them seriously.

4 KILLED

9 INJURED

Angola,

03.10.95

ICRC

A militiaman struck a mine when he was on patrol with four other men near his village. He lost a leg, the others escaped unscathed.

1 INJURED

Angola,

03.10.95

UN

In the north-eastern region of Saurimo a UNITA soldier accidentally stepped on an anti-personnel mine. The explosion triggered off small arms fire by the opposing FAA. The injured soldier lost his foot.

1 INJURED

Mozambique ,

04.10.95

UN

Seven people were killed and three others seriously injured when an ambulance ran over a landmine in the southern Mozambican province of Inhambane

7 KILLED

Rwanda,

07.10.95

UN

There was a mine explosion in Butare commune in which five children were injured.

5 INJURED

Angola,

09.10.95

UN

A civilian was injured when he stepped on an anti-personnel mine near Dambi, 25 km west of Malange.

1 INJURED

Angola,

09.10.95

ICRC

A 21-year-old soldier, on a night mission with 30 other soldiers to recover cattle stolen by bandits, struck a trip-wire which triggered off a mine near Benguela town. He lost a leg, while 5 of his companions were killed by mine fragments.

1 INJURED

5 KILLED

Liberia,

11.10.95

UN

UN military observers reported that in the city of Buchanan a civilian was injured in a mine explosion near the 7th Brigade headquarters of the West African peacekeeping force ECOWAS. The mine was used by ECOWAS for defensive purposes.

1 INJURED

Angola,

12.10.95

HALO Trust

An anti-personnel mine accident killed a man in Huambo

1 KILLED

Lebanon,

15.10.96

UN

Six Israeli soldiers were killed and two seriously wounded when a mine blew up their armoured vehicle near Quardiya, in the security zone in south Lebanon. News reports said that the troops left their base in a vehicle that was not mine-proof, and compounded the danger by driving off a designated track.

6 KILLED

2 INJURED

Angola,

16.10.95

UN

A civilian vehicle detonated a mine on the Meatily-Jamba road. The vehicle was then ambushed by unidentified armed elements. Two civilians and a policeman were killed and one civilian was injured in the attack

UNKNOWN

Angola,

18.10.95

UN

A civilian truck detonated an old anti-tank mine on the Cubal-Ganda road injuring the driver. UNAVEM will request that the FAA again clear this road of mines.

1 INJURED

Angola ,

18.10.95

ICRC

A 34-year-old soldier lost a leg after stepping on a mine in the municipality of Cacolo in Saurimo, Lunda-Sul province. He and his friend, he said, were taking their time flirting with girls in Cacolo when they realised it was already evening. They were rushing back to their barracks when the accident occurred.

1 INJURED

Bosnia,

22.10.95

UN

Two British officers were injured in an anti-personnel mine incident in the river valley in Sector South West. HVO had requested a UN presence to prevent a breach of the cease-fire while they searched for bodies from an earlier incident near the confrontation line at Uger.

2 INJURED

India, Jammu and Kashmir,

22.10.95

UN

Five Indian soldiers were killed in Kashmir when a landmine detonated by Moslem separatists blew up their vehicle.

5 KILLED

Zaire,

24.10.95

UN

An international aid worker lost a leg and suffered head injuries after stepping on a landmine in Goma.

1 INJURED

Angola,

25.10.96

Mines Advisory Gr oup

A 35-year-old internally displaced person, living in Luena at the time of the accident, stepped on a mine while collecting firewood. He was carried to the hospital and ended up losing his right leg and right eye.

1 INJURED

Iraq,

25.10.95

UN

UNIKOM provided assistance evacuating two Iraqi border policemen injured as a result of a mine explosion. One Iraqi soldier died on the road. The second was taken to an Umm Qasr hospital.

1 INJURED

1 KILLED

Bosnia,

27.10.95

UN

Two Egyptian soldiers were injured in a booby-trap incident a Lapanisca and were evacuated to the Medical Centre.

2 INJURED

Burundi ,

28.10.95

ICRC

An ICRC tanker truck hit by anti-personnel mine in Burundi while carrying water for the local population.

NONE

Zaire ,

29.10.95

UN

Two Western relief agencies suspended operations in eastern Zaire after American relief workers Marianne Holtz and David Lillie were wounded in mine blast. Both are employed by the American Refugee Committee. Ms Holtz lost her legs and Mr Lillie was treated for a broken collar bone, cuts and bruises.

2 INJURED

Zaire,

29.10.95

REUTER

Aid worker injured in Zaire mine blast

An international aid worker lost a leg and suffered head injuries after stepping on a mine in Goma on 24 October. Several weeks ago, Red Cross vehicles were hit twice by mine blasts in the same area. On 23 September, several people were injured while travelling in a Red Cross tr uck.

1 INJURED

Rwanda,

30.10.95

UN

Three people were killed and six wounded when an anti-tank mine detonated at Gasharu. At Kibuye, an anti-personnel mine injured a local when he stepped on a mine.

3 KILLED

7 INJURED

NOVEMBER 1995

Cambodia, Battambang Province,

11.95

Mines Advisory Group

Three people were killed and 24 injured during the month of November in Battambang Province. Some two-thirds of them were civilians and one-third soldiers. Five of the victims were children. One soldier and one civilian were injured, in two separate incidents, while trying to extract the explosive content from mines to use for fishing.

3 KILLED

24 INJURED

Cambodia, Banteay Meanchey Province,

11.95

Mines Advisory Group

Six people were killed and 38 injured during the month of November in Banteay Meanchey Province. The majority were soldiers; four of the injured were children. One soldier was killed while attempting to remove a mine; four people seated nearby were injured in the explosion.

6 KILLED

38 INJURED

Cambodia, Kompong Thom Province,

11.95

Mines Advisory Group

Two people were killed and 9 injured during the month of November in Kompong Thom Province. All but two of the victims were soldiers. Five soldiers were injured while patrolling, and another soldier was injured while collecting food in the forest.

2 KILLED

9 INJURED

Angola,

11.95

HALO Trust

Two men were killed while digging in their fields and seven were injured (five amputations and two with eye injuries) as a result of anti -personnel mines.

2 KILLED

7 INJURED

Angola, Tchianga Huambo Province

11.95

HALO Trust

A man guarding forestry commission property died after stepping on an anti-personnel mine. No one was near enough to help him.

1 KILLED

Angola, Huambo

01.11.95

HALO Trust

A youth died after pulling a trip wire linked to a mine. Shrapnel injuries to abdomen, head and chest.

1 KILLED

Rwanda,

02.11.95

UN

One RP A vehicle detonated an anti-tank mine at a bridge in Ruhengeri. One soldier was killed and three others injured.

1 KILLED

3 INJURED

Rwanda,

04.11.95

UN

Two casualties resulted from the explosion of an antipersonnel mine.

2 CASUALTIES

Angola,

06.11.95

UN

Five people were killed and 20 wounded when a bus with 50 passengers on board hit an anti-tank mine in northern Angola, said a government official. The bus hit the mine while travelling along a road linking Dundo with Lucapa.

In the second bus blast in northern Angola, two people were seriously injured when the bus they were travelling in detonated a mine at Nhefo, north of Saurimo.

22 INJURED

5 KILLED

Rwanda,

07.11.95

UN

A Swiss embassy vehicle detonated a mine at Kabaya killing two people and seriously wounding two others. The survivors were treated at the Doctors Without Borders hospital at Kabaya.

2 INJURED

2 KILLED

Angola, Huambo

07.11.95

HALO Trust

A soldier had a leg blasted off after walking in front of a trench by his military camp.

1 INJURED

Rwanda,

08.11.95

UN

In the aftermath of the successful RPA assault on the anti-government island strong-hold of Iwawa, at least one RPA soldier was known to have stepped on an anti-personnel mine and received wounds. A UN observer mission was also informed by RPA that most of their 18 wounded were victims of anti-personnel mines, but no exact figure was provided. The island was boo by-trapped with mines to deter just such an attack. Iwawa was allegedly used by anti-government Hutu forces as a springboard for incursions into Rwanda, during which many mines were deployed.

UNKNOWN

Angola,

10.11.95

AFP

In the latest in a string of mine attacks on civilian buses, nine people were seriously wounded when their bus struck an anti-tank mine and was then attacked by UNITA rebels. The incident occurred in Cunene province.

9 INJURED

India, Jammu and Kashmir,

10.11.95

UN

At least four Indian soldiers died in Kashmir when their truck was blown up by an anti-tank mine allegedly planted by Muslim militants. An army spokesman said two civilians and two soldiers were also seriously wounded in the attack.

4 INJURED

4 KILLED

India, Jammu and Kashmir,

11.11.95

UN

The Indian media reported that three people, including a soldier, were blown up by an explosive device placed on the Dara-Poonch road by militants.

3 CASUALTIES

Rwanda,

12.11.95

UN

A government soldier had his leg amputated when he stepped on a mine at Mukamira.

1 INJURED

Bosnia,

14.11.95

UN

A French peace-keeper was wounded when the vehicle he was in struck a mine laid by his own side. The incident occurred as the vehicle was manoeuvring on the Brotherhood and Unity Bridge in Sarajevo. One other soldier was slightly injured. The bridge crosses the river Miljacka, and connects Serb and Bosnian government suburbs. The bridge has been open for a limited duration each day to allow citizens to cross over, but the peace-keepers lay mines when the brid ge is closed to control access.

2 INJURED

Mozambique,

16.11.96

UN

A minor explosives incident at Inhambane occurred when a supervisor with the Accelerated Demining Programme identified an anti-tank detonator outside his house. He planned to destroy the detonator the next day, but he dropped it in his house and it exploded. He received minor blast injuries.

1 INJURED

Mozambique,

17.11.95

UN

A deminer at Inhambane detonated an anti-personnel mine during lane clearance. He was seriously injured, losing one arm at the shoulder and one leg above the knee.

1 INJURED

Angola,

17.11.95

Mines Ad visory Group

A man stepped on a mine while collecting food close to a military position near the airport. His family carried him to the hospital where his left leg was amputated above the knee.

1 INJURED

Rwanda,

18.11.95

UN

A civilian was injured after stepping on a mine near Mukingo commune.

1 INJURED

Angola,

25.11.95

Mines Advisory Group

A 40-year-old man was out collecting firewood near Luena when he trod on a mine. He was rescued fro the mined area by MAG deminers who then took him to the hospital. He was amputated of his left leg above the knee.

1 INJURED

Angola ,

27.11.95

REUTER

Angola landmine kills four, injured 16,

Four people were killed and at least 16 injured when a truck ran over a landmine in Angola's Benguela province, the Angop state news agency reported on Monday.

16 INJURED

4 KILLED

Zaire,

29.11.95

UN

A UNHCR water truck hit a mine near Kibumba camp in Goma.

UNKNOWN

DECEMBER 1995

Cambodia, Banteay Meanchey Province,

12.95

Mines Advisory Group

In December, 4 people were killed and 24 injured in mine incidents in the province. Over half of the victims were civilians. Many of the incidents occurred in newly-mined areas.

4 KILLED

24 INJURED

Cambodia, Kompong Thom Province,

12.95

Mines Advisory Group

In December, 4 people were killed and 18 injured by mines in the province. 74% of the victims were soldiers, 26% civilians. One boy was injured while herding buffalo, two civilians were injured while harvesting rice, and another two - one of whom died subsequently from his injuries- while fishing.

4 KILLED

18 INJURED

Cambodia, Battambang Province,

12.95

Mines Advisory Group

In December, 9 people were killed and 48 injured by mines in the province. Approximately 60% were soldiers and 40% civilians. A boy, one of the seven child victims of mines, was wounded by a mine on his way to harvest when his bicycle touched a trip-wire, detonating a mine which was laid in a rice field. A girl was wounded by a mine explosion while she was sleeping in a hammock. One soldier was injured by a mine while patrolling around a military base.

9 KILLED

48 INJURED

Angola, Kuito & Bie Provinces

12.95

HALO Trust

Two men died in different areas and largely through being unable to reach medical care in time, and four were injured (2 amputations and 1 with eye injuries) after stepping on landmines.

2 KILLED

Angola, Calwe, Huambo Province,

12.95

HALO Trust

It was reported that, during the course of 1995, 13 people were killed and 5 injured by mines near Calwe (Sambo). Most of these were victims of 2 large anti-personnel devices (using anti-tank mines). It occurred at a river crossing.

13 KILLED

5 INJURED

North Iraq, Suleimany Governorate,

01.01.-31-12.95

Mines Advisory Group

87 people were killed and 291 injured in the Suleimany Governorate in 1995. 76% of the victims were men, 23% children and 2% women.

87 KILLED

291 INJURED

North Iraq, Erbil Governorate,

01.01.-31.12.95

Mines Advisory Group

26 people were killed and 82 injured in the Governorate of Erbil in 1995. 66% of the victims were men, 26% children and 8% women.

26 KILLED

82 INJURED

North Iraq, Duhok Governorate,

01.01.-31.12.95

Mines Advisory Group

26 people were killed and 57 injured in the Governorate of Duhok in 1995. 65% of the victims were men, 32% children and 3% women.

36 KILLED

57 INJURED

Pakistan , Batkhela,

03.12.95

The News

Two children die in land mine explosion,

Two children, a brother and sister, became victims of an old animosity in Wari, Dir District, when a land mine exploded on Saturday. Two other children were seriously wounded and were rushed to Temargarh Hospital where their condition was stated to be critical.

2 KILLED

2 INJURED

Angola, Longojo, Huambo Province

04.12.95

HALO Trust

A man lost his leg after treading on a mine just off the town centre. He was collecting firewood.

1 KILLED

Zaire,

05.12.95

UN

Four people were killed and 31 injured when a civilian bus struck an anti-tank mine on a road regularly used by western relief workers in eastern Zaire.

31 INJURED

4 KILLED

Mozambique ,

05.12.95

CCW News

Eight children killed by the explosion of a mine, Maputo, 5 December 1995

8 KILLED

Rwanda,

14.12.95

UN

In Cyangugu, an RPA soldier lost a leg when he stepped on a mine in the Rangiro Sector.

1 INJURED

Angola,

22.12.95

Mines Advisory Group

A 25-year-old woman was rushed to hospital on a stretcher and amputated of her left leg after she stuck a mine while collecting firewood in the Canhengue area.

1 INJURED

Bosnia,

23.12.95

UN

Two British soldiers were wounded when their vehicle struck an anti-tank mine while on patrol in the Croat-held area of Sanski Most. The soldiers were the first among the IFOR force to be involved in a landmine incident.

2 INJURED

Rwanda,

23.12.95

UN

The mayor of Nyamutera commune reported six people injured when a mine blast ripped through Vunga market.

6 INJURED

Angola,

24.12.95

UN

Military observers with the Malange team reported two FAA soldiers killed and four wounded in a mine incident a t Canvuoa, 28 km east of Malange.

4 INJURED

2 KILLED

Georgia,

25.12.95

UN

A private vehicle struck an anti-tank mine at Kokhora, killing one occupant and wounding two others.

2 INJURED

1 KILLED

Bosnia,

30.12.95

UN

An American soldier was wounded when his vehicle struck an anti-tank mine in Bosnia. Specialist Martin John Begosh of the 709th Military Police battalion was driving the first of a convoy of four Humvees off the main route from the Sava River south to Tuzla.

1 INJURED

Rwanda,

31.12.95

UN

An RPA soldier was injured by an anti-personnel mine.

1 INJURED

JANUARY 1996

Angola, Kuito

01.96

HALO Trust

A woman and her son were killed as a result of triggering a bounding anti-personnel mine while gathering wood

2 KILLED

UN

01.96

InterPress Service, International News.

Disarmament: UN. Peacekeepers are latest landmine victims,

As of last week, antipersonnel landmines have killed 42 UN. Peacekeepers and injured 315, with most casualties taking place in the former Yugoslavia, where a US. soldier and two British army officials of the new multi-national Implementation Force (IFOR) in Bosnia were wounded by landmines last month.

315 INJURED

42 KILLED

Cambodia, Kompong Thom Province,

01.96

Mines Advisory Group

8 people were killed and 18 injured in mine incidents in Kompong Thom Province in January. Over two-thirds of the casualties were soldiers, less than a third civilians. Three civilians were injured while fishing.

8 KILLED

18 INJURED

Cambodia, Banteay Meanchey Province,

01.96

Mines Advisory Group

In January, 18 people were killed and 70 were injured in mine incidents in the province. Nearly 80% of them were soldiers, and just over 20% civilians. Many of the incidents occurred in newly mined areas. One civilian was killed while cutting wood, another while travelling in an ox-cart.

18 KILLED

70 INJURED

Cambodia, Battambang Province,

01.96

Mines Advisory Group

In January, 20 people were killed and 73 injured by mines in this province. Two thirds of the total casualties were soldiers and one third civilians. 24 soldiers were injured while fighting. Two boys were killed while fishing and a girl was killed while travelling in a newly-mined area.

20 KILLED

73 INJURED

Zaire , Kinshasa,

02.01.96

REUTER

Mine kills two in east Zaire, more ethnic clashes

Two people were killed and one wounded when a truck hit a landmine in the refugee-swamped east of Zaire, a local official said on Tuesday.

2 KILLED

1 INJURED

Angola,

02.01.96

ICRC

Sent by his superior to buy soft drinks in town (Saurimo, Lunda-Sul) a 24-year-old soldier, stepped on a mine on his way back and lost his leg. They were celebrating the new year.

1 INJURED

Bosnia, Tuzla,

02.01.96

REUTER

Up to seven million mines being cleared from Bosnia,

The warring factions in Bosnia are removing up to seven million mines from the US. military sector, but a mine expert said on Tuesday he had no idea what they would do with them. Since US. soldier Martin John Begosh was injured when his Humvee ran over a mine on Sunday (31 Dec.), the first American casualty in the Bosnia peace mission, the issue of mines in the US. sector has become more urgent.

1 INJURED

Bosnia,

03.01.96

UN

Two British IFOR soldiers received non-life-threatening wounds when they stumbled on a landmine as they were converting a hotel complex in the Serb-held suburb of Ilidza into headquarters for NATO's Rapid Reaction Force (ARC).

2 INJURED

Egypt , Sinai,

05.01.96

REUTER

Mine kills three Israeli tourists in Sinai,

Three Israeli tourists were killed and one injured on Friday when their jeep set off a landmine in Egypt's Sinai desert, the Israeli embassy in Cairo said.

3 KILLED

1 INJURED

Bosnia,

08.01.96

UN

A French soldier on patrol in the Sarajevo suburb of Dobrinja stepped on an anti-personnel mine and received foot injuries.

1 INJURED

Cambodia , Battambang,

08.01.96

CCW News

Two children injured by mine in Battambang, Cambodia, 8 January 1996

2 INJURED

Bosnia,

10.01.96

AFP

A US Bradley vehicle struck a mine on the Serb side of the confrontation line in Bosnia, south-west of Ostra Luka in the Orasje pocket. Because it was an anti-personnel mine there were no injuries, and the vehicle escaped damage. A Serb vehicle ran over the mine first but did not detonate it.

NONE

Bosnia,

12.01.96

UN

A Croatian soldier was killed Saturday when he tripped on a booby-trap planted by his own side whilst attempting to clear a roadside bomb. " He did something he should not have done, " said Lieutenant Niksa of the Croatian Army. Another soldier was wounded, saved due to his flak-jacket. Spanish IFOR personnel located 15 anti-personnel mines in the bomb's vicinity.

1 INJURED

1 KILLED

Bosnia,

14.01.96

UN

A Swedish vehicle triggered a mine 10 km west of Luvavac in the Zone of Separation, seriously wounding 4 of the 6 personnel inside. They were evacuated to Tuzla.

4 INJURED

Angola,

14.01.96

UN

Two Britons and two Filipinos were killed when their truck struck an anti-tank mine in northern Angola. The victims all worked for the Endiama mining company.

4 KILLED

Bosnia,

15.01.96

UN

A Spanish military spokesman said that one Bosnian Croat and one Bosnian Serb were killed during clearance operations as they raced to beat the 19 Jan. 96 deadline for mine removal along the demilitarised zone. Two more Croats were injured along the 120 km confrontation line in the Spanish sector. The Spanish troops have maps for 500 minefields.

2 KILLED

2 INJURED

Lebanon,

15.01.96

UN

A shepherd was seriously wounded by an antipersonnel mine explosion at the AMR. UNTSO sent a medical team and he was transported to the Khan Arnabeh medical centre.

1 INJURED

Bosnia,

15.01.96

UN

A British soldier with IFOR, and an HVO soldier, were wounded in a mine clearance operation 25 km south of Banja Luka.

2 INJURED

Angola,

16.01.96

Mines Advisory Group

A 45-year-old man from Alto-Zambeze stepped on a mine while collecting firewood 17 km outside town. He was rushed to the hospital by bicycle where his left foot was amputated.

1 INJURED

Angola,

19.01.96

Mines Advisory Group

A 56-year-old man, who was a displaced person from Bie Province, was collecting firewood near Alto-Campo when he was killed by a mine.

1 KILLED

Bosnia,

23.01.96

UN

A tank with the Danish battalion struck an anti-tank mine 15 km south of Doboj, leaving four personnel injured. They were evacuated to Tuzla. Since the start of the IFOR mission on 19 Dec. 95 there have been 33 casualties, of which 13 were injured by landmines.

4 INJURED

(13 INJURED)

Bosnia,

23.01.96

UN

A Swedish IFOR armoured personnel carrier detonated two antipersonnel mines that damaged their vehicle. There were no casualties.

NONE

Bosnia , Sarajevo,

24.01.96

REUTER

Danger still lurks for Sarajevo children,

Three children were seriously wounded near Sarajevo frontlines on Wednesday when they stepped on a mine near buildings recently abandoned by Serb forces.

3 INJURED

Bosnia,

24.01.96

UN

In the second serious incident involving IFRO personnel and landmines today, a British combat vehicle ran over an anti-tank mine in central Bosnia, blowing the vehicle's track off and damaging three road wheels. " The crew was shaken but there were no injuries, " said a spokesman.

NONE

Bosnia,

24.01.96

UN

A P ortuguese IFOR soldier carried a landmine into his barracks room as a souvenir. It exploded, killing two Portuguese, one Italian, and wounding seven others. The explosion took place in the Zetra Olympic stadium where the Portuguese detachment is based.

7 INJURED

2 KILLED

Bosnia, Sarajevo,

26.01.96

Tribune de Genève

Bosnia - landmines an ever-present danger

The accidental death Wednesday of three IFOR soldiers in Sarajevo is a grim reminder of the danger posed by the millions of mines laid in Bosnia over the three-and-a-half-year conflict.

3 KILLED

Cambodia,

26.01.96

REUTER

An infantryman lost his right leg to a mine blast in fighting for Klar Ngap. The Mongkol Borei hospital treated 105 policemen and soldiers in Januray for injuries linked to fighting, with mines causing most of the casualties.

Bosnia,

28.01.96

UN

Mine casualty incidents in Sarajevo are increasing. Two men who walked into the recently vacated zone of no-man's land in the western suburb of Stup are the latest victims. One of the men was injured in a blast, and his friend triggered off another landmine when he ran to his aid.

2 INJURED

Bosnia,

28.01.96

UN

Three British IFOR personnel died when their vehicle struck a mine and burst into flames, setting off the store of explosives inside. The men were with the British Army Light Dragoons, in a Spartan vehicle that entered an unmarked minefield south of Mrkonjic Grad. Rescue workers could not approach the victims due to explosions and the risk of other mines in the area.

3 KILLED

Rwanda,

28.01.96

UN

An RPA soldier lost a limb when he stepped on a mine in Kamatsira, in Cyangugu.

1 INJURED

Bosnia,

30.01.96

UN

An M2 Bradley tank with the US IFOR contingent ran over a landmine seven km south of US headquarters in Tuzla, blowing off a tank track but otherwise not harming the crew.

NONE

Bosnia,

30.01.96

UN

Milan Bator, 76, was warned by a soldier not to enter the Nahorevo district in Sarajevo with his dog because of the danger posed by uncleared landmines. He didn't heed the warning, and after 30 minutes " the dog came home alone covered with blood and I knew something terrible had happened, " said his daughter. Mr Bator lost a leg below the knee.

1 INJURED

Bosnia,

30.01.96

UN

According to morgue attendants, a middle-aged man was killed when he stepped on a mine in Sarajevo's Mojmilo Brdo area.

1 KILLED

FEBRUARY 1996

Angola, Kuito

02.96

HALO Trust

A person was injured by an anti-personnel mine.

1 INJURED

Cambodia, Kompong Thom Province,

02.96

Mines Advisory Group

In February, 13 people were injured and nine killed in mine incidents in this province. Over 60% of them were soldiers, the rest civilians, one of them was a child. No women were reported among the victims. The child was killed while herding cows. Three civilians were injured while fishing, two of them died as a result of their injuries.

9 KILLED

13 INJURED

Cambodia, Battambang Province,

02.96

Mines Advisory Group

174 people were injured and 17 killed by mines in Battambang province during the month of February. 10% of the total casualties were children, some 4% women. Over two thirds of the victims were soldiers, and less than a third civilians. Most of the soldiers were injured while patrolling around their bases.

174 INJURED

17 KILLED

Cambodia, Banteay Meanchey Province,

02.96

Mines Advisory Group

In this province, 80 people were injured and 8 killed in mine incidents during the month of February. 67% of the casualties were soldiers, and 23% civilians, there was one woman among the victims. Many of the victims were travelling through newly-mined areas.

80 INJURED

8 KILLED

Cambodia, Pursat Province,

02.96

Mines Advisory Group

In February, 16 people were killed and 26 injured in Pursat Province. About 80% of them were soldiers, and 20% civilians - less than 2% females. Most of the incidents occurred in unknown mined areas. A civilian woman was killed when she cut the tripwire of a mine while harvesting rice.

16 KILLED

26 INJURED

Cambodia, Siem Reap Province

02.96

Mines Advisory Group

In February, 47 people were injured and seven killed by landmines in this province. Eight of the victims were children. About two-thirds of the total were soldiers and one third civilians. Seven of the children fell victim to mines in unknown mined areas.

7 KILLED

47 INJURED

Angola, Capolo, Bie Province

02.96

HALO Trust

A woman was killed by an anti-personnel mine while picking mangoes. Planting mines under mango trees is a common practice; the fruit and the shade act as a lure and almost guarantee a victim.

1 KILLED

Angola, Cubal, Benguela Province

02.96

HALO Trust

A man was killed by an anti-personnel mine close to town

1 KILLED

Afghanistan,

01.02.96

REUTER

The Afghan Islamic Agency reported that a prominent Taleban commander, known as Mullha Rahmatullah, was killed by a landmine while visiting frontline positions in the Rishkor hills about a week ago.

1 KILLED

Rwanda

1-4.02.96

ICRC

An incident involving an anti-personnel mine occurred on the edge of the Nyungwe forest. An RPA (Rwandan Popular Army) soldier's leg had to be amputated at the Kibogora hospital.

Gisenyi: on 01.02.96 an RPA soldier stepped on an anti-personnel mine near the communal office in Kayove, losing one of his legs.

1 INJURED

1 INJURED

Zaire, Bukavu,

02.02.96

ICRC

A truck was blown up by a mine on a small secondary road leading from the camp at Panzi to the small camp at Nyatende on the edge of town. The driver is said to have lost both legs.

1 INJURED

Bosnia ,

03.02.96

AFP

So far 35 soldiers have been wounded and 9 killed in mine, road or unexploded ordnance incidents since the peacekeeping operation began. The lethal combination of unmarked minefields and bad roads are causing more than one injury per day among IFOR troops.

35 INJURED

9 KILLED

Cambodia ,

05.02.96

ICRC

Government offensive continues

In Battambang province, the army has advanced 20 kilometres in the direction of Pailin. The large number of mines on the terrain are taking a heavy toll on the troops: 44 of the 81 war-wounded treated at the Battambang military hospital are mine victims... The intensity of the offensive against Poipet has diminished, and on 4 February there remained only 29 wounded at the hospital in Mongkol Borei - mainly mine victims. Between January 15 and 31, 103 war-wounded were treated at this hospital, 46 of whom were mine victims.

92 INJURED

Zaire, Bukavu,

05.02.96

ICRC

Another truck triggered off an anti-tank mine, this time on the main road between Bukavu and Uvira, again near the camp at Panzi. Several people were either wounded or killed (report still to be confirmed).

UNKNOWN

Zaire, Bukavu,

05.02.96

ICRC

An anti-tank mine explosion near the camp at Panzi: 4 killed and 6 injured.

UNHCR launched a daily " security newsflash " at 8 a.m. to inform humanitarian aid workers about incidents and risks. Following the two mine incidents, UNHCR has confined all vehicle movements to the period between 8 a.m. and 5.30 p.m.

6 INJURED

4 KILLED

Croatia , Dalj,

5-10.02.96

ICRC

Colonel Miodrag Jovanovic has been appointed as new deputy of General Loncar and Commander in charge for the Baranja region, replacing Colonel Mladenovic who reportedly died in a mine accident two weeks ago.

1 KILLED

Rwanda,

06.02.96

UN

A civilian visiting the Kinhira resettlement camp, in Northwest Rwanda, lost a leg when he stepped on an antipersonnel mine.

1 INJURED

Bosnia ,

07.02.96

UN

A French soldier of the NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR) was wounded when he stepped on a mine in the south-eastern Trebinje area. The soldier lost four toes.

1 INJURED

Rwanda,

08.02.96

UN

In an incident near Kinhira Camp, two people were injured in an antipersonnel mine explosion.

2 INJURED

Zaire, Kivu,

08.02.96

ICRC

At 7 a.m., a World Food Programme truck blew up on a mine near the Ishasha border post. No victims reported.

NONE

Ethiopia ,

12.02.96

ICRC

The national defence forces (Wugagan) reported that nearly 5000 anti-personnel and anti-tank landmines were defused during the past four months in different parts of the country.

Angola,

18.02.96

UN

In the north-eastern region, in the town of Saurimo, a soldier detonated a mine near the Muca River and was killed while another soldier was seriously wounded.

1 INJURED

1 KILLED

Rwanda , Kamembe,

20.02.96

ICRC

First serious mine incident in several weeks on 20.02, at 9.30 a.m., on the road between the airport and the Kamembe municipal building. An IRC (International Rescue Committee) vehicle was blown up by an anti-tank mine. Miraculously, the sole occupant of the land-cruiser, the driver, survived, sustaining only superficial wounds to his head, arm and knee.

1 INJURED

Burundi ,

21.02.96

ICRC

The CNDD (Conseil National pour la Défense de la Démocratie) representative in Bukavu, Zaire, expressed his deep concern regarding the use of anti-personnel mines in the Bubanza area of Burundi. Fourteen civilians are reported to have been killed by mines during the last week.

14 KILLED

Burundi,

22.02.96

ICRC

The explosion of a military truck by mine (laid by the FDD) on route N3 was reportedly followed by a skirmish between soldiers.

UNKNOWN

Bosnia, Sarajevo,

22.02.96

REUTER

An elderly woman was wounded when she stepped on a mine near a Sarajevo bridge marking the former front line in the Bosnian capital. A spokesman for the NATO-led peacekeeping force said that it appeared the woman will lose her foot.

1 INJURED

Cambodia,

24.02.96

ICRC

Mine Prevention Day

A mine prevention day took place on 24 February in Phnom Penh. All the National Red Cross societies present in the capital participated in this event, first among which was the Cambodian Red Cross. The mine prevention day included a march in the centre of Phnom Penh in which 160 Red Cross members participated. In addition, the acting Head of State and the Minister of Information pleaded for a ban on the production and use of anti-personnel mines. In their speeches, they also expressed their support for the demining activities undertaken in Cambodia, which, according to experts, will take " three centuries " at the present rate to clear the country of all mines.

Zaire, Uvira ,

25.02.96

ICRC.

The explosion of a grenade (or anti-personnel mine?) on 25 February in the village of Buhaozi is reported to have killed one person. It was the third incident - following the two anti-tank mines at the beginning of the month - in this area, which lies to the south of Bukavu in the direction of Uvira.

1 KILLED

Zaire, Uvira ,

26.02.96

ICRC.

At 2 p.m. on 26 February, an anti-tank mine was discovered and defused by the FAZ on the main Nyangezi-Uvira road.

Cambodia

26.02.96

ICRC

The government offensive, begun on January 23, continues against Phnom Veng, the last Khmer Rouge bastion before Pailin. Minefields, surrounding Khmer Rouge guerrilla positions, have contributed to the high number of wounded that the regular army troops have suffered. Over half of the 440 patients in the overcrowded hospitals in the Battambang and Mongkol Borei areas are mine victims, with a quarter of them civilians.

220 INJURED

Rwanda , Kamembe,

27.02.96

ICRC

On 27. February, in the afternoon, a light vehicle with four soldiers aboard blew up on a mine. The incident occurred on the main road between Karengera and Nyakubuye. Toll: 2 killed and 2 seriously injured.

2 KILLED

2 INJURED

Rwanda, Kigali,

27.02.96

REUTER

One dead, Spanish nurse wounded in Rwanda ambush,

It was the second incident involving Western aid workers in the Southwest this month. A car of the US. International Rescue Committee ran over an anti-tank mine near Angugu last week but no one was hurt.

NONE

Angola , Lobito,

27.02.96

ICRC

Interview at Caluquembe hospital with man injured on 27 February in Tchilunda (some 20 km south-west of Caluquembe) by an anti-personnel mine that was believed to have been planted recently.

1 INJURED

Rwanda, Bukavu,

28.02.96

ICRC.

On 28 February Radio Rwanda reported that six people were injured in a mine explosion involving a truck.

" Now we are running out of bread, because there's hardly any flour. We have no gas or electricity, so we are forced to go out into the forest to gather firewood. But it's dangerous: nine people have already been blown up by mines, " said one villager, Louisa Akhtayeva.

9 INJURED

Bosnia, Sarajevo,

29.02.96

REUTER

Bosnian boy injured in mine explosion,

An 11-year-old boy lost an arm when he picked up a mine near a bus depot in a central Bosnian town, NATO peace-keeping forces on Thursday.

1 INJURED

Croatia, Zagreb,

29.02.96

AFP

Forthcoming mine-awareness campaign in the media,

Since 1991, 271 children have been killed and 972 others wounded by mine explosions, according to the latest statistics provided by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior.

271 KILLED

972 INJURED

MARCH 1996

Angola, Kuito and Bie Provinces,

03.96

HALO Trust

Three people were injured in different anti-personnel mine incidents

3 INJURED

Angola, Kuito Province,

03.96

HALO Trust

A man was injured after the tractor trailer he was on detonated an anti-personnel mine

1 INJURED

Cambodia , Kompong Thom Province,

03.96

Mines Advisory Group

During the month of March, seven people were killed and 14 injured by mines in Kompong Thom Province. Some two-thirds of them were soldiers. 8 soldiers were injured by mines while patrolling roads, two were injured while attempt ing to demine the road to Praeah Vihear province, two others were injured while travelling. Four civilians - including one child - were killed while cutting wood, one while moving a mine to his house, another while travelling.

14 INJURED

7 KILLED

Cambodia, Pursat Province,

03.96.

Mines Advisory Group

During the month of March, 28 people were injured and 3 killed by mines in Pursat Province. Slightly less than half of them were civilians. One civilian triggered off a mine while digging and the explosion killed a woman and injured a man nearby. Many of the victims were travelling in unknown mined areas when they fell victim to mines.

28 INJURED

3 KILLED

Cambodia , Siem Reap Province,

03.96.

Mines Advisory Group

Eleven people were killed and 35 were injured by mines in Siem Reap Province in March, with slightly less than half of them civilians. Twelve of these victims were children, some of them child-soldiers, who were killed while patrolling unknown mined areas.

35 INJURED

11 KILLED

Cambodia, Battambang Province,

03.96

Mines Advisory Group

Thirteen people were killed and 219 injured by mines in Battambang Province during the month of March. Some 20% of them were civilians, of which roughly half were children. One girl was injured by a mine laid next to her house which exploded while she was sleeping. One boy was injured while herding cattle, another while riding in an oxcart, still another while cutting wood.

219 INJURED

13 KILLED

Cambodia, Banteay Meanchey Province,

03.96

Mines Advisory Group

Six people were killed and 83 injured by mines in Banteay Meanchey Province during the month of March. Two-thirds of the casualties were soldiers. Many of the victims were travelling in newly mined areas when they struck mines.

83 INJURED

6 KILLED

Bosnia ,

01.03.96

AFP

Two IFOR soldiers wounded in mine blast,

Two Portuguese soldiers from NATO's multinational peace-keeping force in Bosnia, IFOR, were accidentally wounded when a mine exploded Friday in Gorazde, according to armed forces headquarters in Lisbon on Friday.

On Wednesday morning a mine exploded on the road from Harar eto Fedis. The evening before there were some skirmishes in the area that continued for most of the night. It seems as if the army had put the mine to prevent " bandits " from fleeing by ca r on this road. Unfortunately, they forgot to take it away again and the next morning a car from the agricultural bureau blew up on it. The driver lost his legs.